Weft-detecting mechanism



RG. TURNER WEFT DETECTING MECHANISM Jul 22, 1924/ 1,502,413

Filed April 26. 1922 Patented July 22, 1924.

STATES RICHARD GREENLEAF TURNER, OF WORCESTER, IMASSACHUSETTS, 'ASSIGNOR TO OROMPTON & KNOWLES LOOM WORKS, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS A COR- PORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

WEFT-DETECTING MECHANISM.

Application filed April 28, 1922. Serial No. 556,613.

mon and a well known example thereof may I be found in the prior patent to Ryon No.

972,722, issued October 11, 1910.

It is the object of my invention to improve weft detecting mechanism of this general type, by making provision for an abrupt and material change in the diameter of the weft carrier when substantial weft exhaustion is reached. 7

Vith this general object in view, an im. portant feature of my invention relates to the provision of axially movable elements on a weft carrier, held from relative movement by the weft itself and released by substantial exhaustion thereof.

A further feature of my invention relates to the provision of a'detecting member of a special form positioned to engage the slidable elements on the weft carrier butmaking no contact with the weft itself. This latter feature often is of considerable importance, as it avoids wear and possible discoloration of fine or delicate filling.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of my invention shown in the drawings in which- Fig. is aplan view of my improved 'mechamsm Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view showing the action of the detecting member when the weft is substantially exhausted, and

Fig.f4 is a side elevation of a portion of the weft carrier.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown parts of a weft detecting mechanism similar in generalconstruction and method of operation to that found in the Ryon patent above identified.

The parts shown comprise a detecting member 10 slidable in a casing 11, adjustably secured upon a bracket 12 supported by the loom side (not shown). At its forward end, the member 10 is connected by a link 13 to an arm 14 adjustably secured to a cross rod 15 supported in bearings 16 and 17 on the bracket 12. A spring 18 on the rod 15 presses the'arm 14 rearward, causing a stop screw 19 to normally engage the front face of the casing 11.

An indicating rod 20 is pivoted on a second arm 21 secured to the cross rod 15. The rod 20 normally extends into or across a groove or slot 22 in an upward projection 23 of the bracket 12. A lever 24 is mounted forvvertical movement in the slot 22 and will engage the rod 20 on its downward movement unless the latter is withdrawn from the slot 22 by the action of the detecting member 10. Engagement of the rod 20 by the lever 24 indicates substantial weft exhaustion and initiates a transfer of weft carriers.

The parts thus far described are in general of ausual type and in-the mselves form 110 part ofmy invention, with the exception that the detectingmember 10 is beveled or wedge-shaped at its rear end, as shownin Fig. 1, for a purpose to be described.

The weft carrier W used with my improved detecting mechanism is of special construction, the details being clearly shown :in Figs. 3 and 4. This weft carrier, adjacent its head 25, is provided with a cylindrical body or barrel portion 26 (Fig. 3), a

part of which is provided with grooves 27 (Fig. 4) or is otherwise roughened for a.

special purpose.

I A. plurality of double beveledrings 28 are mounted to slide freely onthe barrel 26 and an additional sliding member '30 is also mounted thereon. The member 30 has a head or flange 31 equivalent to a ring of one half thickness and also has a cylindrical shank or hub portion 32 slidable on the barrel 26. The surface of the part 32 may also be grooved orroughened as indicated at 29 inFig.4l-

On one or both sides of the hub 32, an opening or slot 33 is,provided,and a stud 34 is inserted in the barrel 26 within one of the openings 33 to limit sliding movement of the member 30.

l/Vhen the weft or filling is to be wound on the weft carrier, the rings 28 and sliding member 30- are seated against-the head 25, as

the barrel 26, as well as the grooves 29 on the hub 32, thus holding the sliding rings from displacement.

The parts are so positioned in the loom that the detecting member 10 is engaged by the rings 28 or the flange 31 as the lay comes forward on each alternate beat thereof. The member 10 and the indicating rod 20 are thus moved forward and the lever 24 is free to swing in its slot or groove 22.

This method of operation continues until the weft is substantially exhausted on the weft carrier IN. The wedge-like action of the member 10, exerted against and between the rings 28 and the flange 31, then separates these parts as shown in Fig. 3, permitting the member 10 to. enter between the rings and thus remain unmoved from rearward position.

The rod 20 is thus left in thepath of the lever 2e and weft exhaustion is indicated. It is found by experiment that this action will occur when a few turns only of the Weft or filling F remain on the shank or hubof the member 30.

This construction is very reliable in operation, as the member 10 engages only with the parts 28 and 81- and may be permitted to exert a substantial pressure thereon. This. condition is quite different from that encountered with detecting mechanism of the usual type in which the detector directly engages the weft and the detecting pressure is necessarily kept at a minin'iuml The abrupt and material change in diameter when the rings slipalso avoids the necessity for close adjustment. I 7 Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof, I do not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed otherwise than. as set forth in theclaims, but what I claim is L In a loom, a weft carrier having a plurality of axially movable elements mountedthereon, such movement being restrained by a suflicient supply of, weft on the weft carrier, and a weft detector engag ing said elements, and effective to indicate weft exhaustioir upon axial concentric separation of said elements in the pathof saiddetector. I V

2. In a loom, a weft carrier having detector-engaging elements movably mounted thereon, and a detector directly engaging said elements and having a 'wedging action to separate said elements axially and concentrically on said Weft carrier.

8. In a loom, a weft carrier having a plurality of rings axially slida-b-le thereon, and a detector directly engaging said rings and separating said rings axially and concentrically upon exhaustion of weft on said rings.

4. In a loom, a weft carrier having a plurality of" rings axlally slidable thereon, each ring having beveled side edges providing a groove for engagement by the point of a weft detector.

5. In a loom, a weft carrier having a plurality of rings slidable thereon, and adetec 6. In a loom, a weft carrier having: a plurality of rings slidable thereon, and a detector engaging said rings, one of said rings having a lost motion connection with said weft carrier. I

7. In aloom, a weft carrier having a plurality ofrings slidablethereon, and a detector engaging said rings, one of said rings having a roughened cylindrical hub with an opening therein, and said weft carrier having a roughened surface on which said hub is mounted for limited sliding movement.

8. In a loom, a detecting member, controlling devices connected thereto normally in operative position toindicate weft exhaustion, and engaging means movably mounted on the weft carrier'and normally positioned to contact with and move said detectorto render" said controlling devices inoperative; on forward movement of said weft carrier, said engaging means being re- .tained in operative position axially on said weft carrier by the presence of a substantial weft supply thereon;

V 9. In a loom, afdetecting member, controlling devices connected thereto normally in operative position to indicate weft exhaustion, and' engaging means on the weft carrier normally positioned. to contact with and move said detector to render said controlling devices inoperative on forward movement of said weft carrier, said engaging means being slidable on said weft carrier out of engaging position upon the occurrence of substantialweft exhaust-ion;

fixed my signature. I

' RICHARD GREENLEA F TURNER.

i V In testimony whereof I havehereunto af- 

